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A Conservative Christian’s Case for Legal Marijuana

America, meet David Simpson, a Republican state representative in Texas who believes in God, limited government, individual rights – and legal marijuana.

He has just introduced a bill repealing all state regulation of marijuana, basically striking any mention of weed from the books. If passed, which is unlikely, the bill would radically propel the Lone Star State to the forefront of American marijuana advocacy and reform, leaving more cautious states, like Colorado and Washington, in the dust.

His motivation is not libertinism. He is not (as far as I can tell) a defiant stoner seeking legislative license so he can safely and more easily get high.
No, he just seems to be a lawmaker who actually applies his beliefs thoughtfully and consistently. A conservative Christian, he thinks government should get off people’s backs, recognizes the colossal failures of the war on drugs, believes in “the innate goodness” of God’s creation, and understands that in the Bible, “feasting and wine are recognized as blessings from God.”

You should read his essay, “The Christian Case for Drug Law Reform,” in TribTalk, a publication of The Texas Tribune. I don’t think I’ve read a more concise and persuasive conservative argument for rethinking marijuana laws.

I really liked this line: “I don’t believe that when God made marijuana he made a mistake that government needs to fix.”

And this: “I’m especially cautious when it comes to laws banning plants.”